Some good things are happening around Russellville to help both motorists and water move more smoothly.

Russellville’s Department of Public Works, using contracted crews, has worked diligently to complete three projects the city plans to dedicate in the very near future. South Detroit and South Glenwood Avenues and Prairie Creek have all seen improvements completed for the public to use. These improvements not only improved access and usability, but scenery.

As many residents know, Prairie Creek was in desperate need of de-mucking. But not anymore.

Public Works used Bowden Specialties to help with the removal of dead and overgrown vegetation from the stream. This overgrowth “caused slow drainage and the city was concerned about the growing problem with flooding,” said Michael Oakes, director of city engineering and Public Works.

According to Oakes, the project’s primary focus was “to get the water out of the City Mall parking lot.” There were also several desirable side effects.

Oakes said the project came in way under budget. The original estimate for acceptable bids was around the $100,000 mark, but Oakes said all but one of the bids were in that range or higher. Bowden Specialties bid the job at $51,000, which saved the city a considerable sum of money.

The Prairie Creek “stream is clean and flowing well,” Oakes said Thursday.

He said that when talking with others about the final product, all have commented about the renewed beauty of the area and that it “was not a bad-looking stream.” Public Works and Bowden crews have cleared the waterway from State Highway 7 to Phoenix Avenue.

South Glenwood Avenue is one of two streets with significant work completed.

That project was done from 8th Street to 2nd Street. The most significant change is the replacement of two 90-degree turns at 2nd Street with a smooth curve. “The continual flow of traffic, plus improved drainage, on South Glenwood Avenue will ease travel for residents and commercial vehicles,” Oakes said.

South Detroit Avenue has also seen improvement. Enhanced safety for students and parents who drop their children off at Oakland Heights Elementary School was one goal.

Easy access is what residents can expect from this renewed, modernized street, Oakes said. The project opened a pathway between 19th and 11th Streets. This will allow traffic to move with increased flow and may reduce frustration for early morning and afternoon drivers. There are new sections of sidewalk in place where the walkway was broken and crumbling.

“We are proud of these projects,” Oakes said.

Residents should also expect increased property values as a result of improved drainage, resurfaced streets, safer, more attractive sidewalks, and modern transit routes, he said.